South Korea: crime, homicide rate and trend

Questions about crime in South Korea

Is South Korea safe?

South Korea: 0.5 homicides per 100,000 people (2023). 3rd lowest rate of 8 in Eastern Asia. World median: 3.8 per 100,000. Safety 10 out of 10 compared with the world.

What is the murder rate in South Korea?

South Korea: 0.5 homicides per 100,000 people (2023). Source: World Bank, from UNODC, 2023.

Is crime going up in South Korea?

The homicide rate is down 32% since 2013: from 0.7 per 100,000 people in 2013 to 0.5 in 2023.

Which places in South Korea have the least crime?

Lowest crime among the 229 municipalities compared: Gyeryong-si (10/10), Sinan-gun (10/10), Sunchang-gun (10/10). The lists on this page rank them all.

Which places in South Korea have the most crime?

Highest crime among the 229 municipalities compared: Jung-gu (1/10), Jung-gu (1/10), Jung-gu (1/10). The lists on this page rank them all.

Lowest crime places in South Korea

1. Gyeryong-si 10/10
2. Sinan-gun 10/10
3. Sunchang-gun 10/10
4. Damyang-gun 10/10
5. Imsil-gun 10/10
6. Jangsu-gun 10/10
7. Inje-gun 10/10
8. Gwacheon-si 10/10
9. Ulleung-gun 10/10
10. Uiseong-gun 10/10

Ranked by crime per 100,000 people among the 229 municipalities compared, with each place's Safety score (1 to 10, 10 = lowest crime).

Highest crime places in South Korea

1. Jung-gu 1/10
2. Jung-gu 1/10
3. Jung-gu 1/10
4. Jongno-gu 1/10
5. Yongsan-gu 1/10
6. Dong-gu 1/10
7. Dongducheon 1/10
8. Busanjin-gu 1/10
9. Gangnam-gu 1/10
10. Mapo-gu 1/10

Ranked by crime per 100,000 people among the 229 municipalities compared, with each place's Safety score (1 to 10, 10 = lowest crime).

Places in South Korea

• Busan
• Chungcheongbuk-do
• Chungcheongnam-do
• Daegu
• Daejeon
• Gangwon-do
• Gwangju
• Gyeonggi-do
• Gyeongsangbuk-do
• Gyeongsangnam-do
• Incheon
• Jeju-do
• Jeollabuk-do
• Jeollanam-do
• Sejong
• Seoul
• Ulsan

Homicides per 100,000 people by year